FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew 7/11/20 - MLS Picks & Predictions

FC Cincinnati faces the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in a Group E fixture. The match is part of the restart of MLS season in a format similar to the World Cup, following a lengthy hiatus due to the coronavirus outbreak. Each of the 26 clubs in the MLS will play in group stages and those results will count for the regular season. Following 16 straight days of group stage play, the top two clubs from each of the groups as well as the four best finishers in third place will begin the knockout stage.

FC Cincinnati lost both of its first two matches to open the 2020 MLS season. The first loss was to the New York Red Bulls 3-2 on March 1. Cincinnati fell behind 2-0 at the half, but Allan Cruz scored and Jurgen Locadia scored in the second but the Cincinnati defense allowed a third goal to fall short by one. On March 7, the Orange and Blue lost to Atlanta United 2-1. Once again Cincinnati fell behind by a pair of goals and Yuya Kubo scored to narrow Atlanta’s lead to one, but Cincinnati could not score again.

The Columbus Crew proved early why oddsmakers liked their chances to contend for the Eastern Conference title in 2020 with a 1-0 victory over New York City FC at home to open the season on March 1. Lucas Zelarayan, who is the new playmaker for the Crew, scored the match's only goal.  The second match of the season for Columbus ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the road at CenturyLink Field against the Seattle Sounders. Gyasi Zardes scored the only goal of the match for Columbus.